Copepod distributions clearly were influenced by the life
history characteristics of the dominant species. At the
magnification of the VPR, larger copepod species such as
Metridia gerlachei, Calanus proinquus, Calanoides acutus,
and Rhincalanus gigas that are common to the regionwould most likely be effectively
imaged, while the smaller species such as Oithona spp.,
Oncaea spp., and Microcalanus pygmaeus would not be
detected reliably. Calanoides acutus, C. propinquus, and
R. gigas follow life histories that include ontogenetic
migration to depth during winter.